Blogs

Jun

15

2011

by Julia Valentine

In my previous article on retiring well, I discussed a few key insights into creating a great lifestyle. Having a splendid vision for your life is a step in the right direction. How do you make sure that you can actually follow through with it?

by Julia Valentine

Jun

01

2011

by Julia Valentine

Most people look forward to the freedom of retiring from full-time work, but do not know how to handle a change in lifestyle that it brings about. I have often wondered why people are so resistant to change, even when it is positive. Since more brain research is now available on the subject, here is your guide to successfully navigating change, and retiring to a great lifestyle.

May

25

2011

by Julia Valentine

Aging is a fact, but how you experience it is your choice. Many research studies show that life after 50 can be the most treasured time of your life. This happens because life perceptions are more positive and feelings of worry or stress decline. Research also shows that a fulfilling retirement is impossible without concerted planning, which should extend beyond the requisite financial plan to also encompass your emotional wants, needs and desires based on thoughtful and practical self-reflection.

Apr

18

2011

by Julia Valentine

The Global Education Conference that just took place in New York City on April 10-20, 2011 brought together hundreds of top business travel professionals in search of ideas for improving their clients’ travel experience.

Show me someone who does not think that travel experience cannot be improved, especially if they remember traveling before liquids became suspect and one didn’t have to buy small scissors in bulk.

Two great themes emerged at the conference this year: pleasurizing and good business sense. Jesse Shell, Chief Executive Officer and Creative Director of Shell Games gave a speech titled The Games We Play: Using Games to Influence Consumer Behavior. Stephen J. Dubner, the co-author of Freakonomics and Superfreakonomics made a keynote presentation on Business and Management Lessons from Superfreakonomics.

Apr

15

2011

by Nicolas Micciola

Apr

12

2011

by Julia Valentine

It was Sunday night last December, and I was feeling uneasy. My WCBS New York radio appearance was scheduled for the next morning. It was to be pre-recorded and aired on the Morning Drive program every morning, five days in a row. My only problem was that I was not great at doing radio.

I certainly knew my stuff, but my ability to deliver the message needed improvement. I was nervous. I couldn’t explain my points clearly and succinctly. On top of that, doing a radio interview meant speaking into the phone with no person in front of me, with no visual cues to adjust based on their feedback. I always imagined being in a studio and it was a revelation to me that radio guests could call in from home.

I was sipping cocktails at my friend’s place, as pictures of impending doom were flashing in my mind brighter than Times Square lights. “I don’t like having to compress my research into soundbites,” I complained to my friend Kim Klein.

Apr

09

2011

by Nicolas Micciola

Apr

07

2011

by Mayra Reyes

Have you been telling yourself “Mentoring sounds nice, but I am not a big shot corporate success story… what do I have to offer?” Let me tell you a story.

About a year ago, I overheard two Hispanic men on the subway having a conversation in Spanish. One appeared to be in his 70s while the other was perhaps in his 30s. The older gentleman was listening empathetically as the younger man talked about how unhappy he was at work job and how a friend in the same boat approached him about starting a business together. “He wants me to do this thing with him”, the young man explained, “I don’t know if that is the right thing to do. I mean, I’ve never run a business before. I suppose I should, but I can’t afford to lose money right now. And what if it doesn’t work?…and our friendship; doesn’t that put strain on it?” He went on and on, practically convincing himself he should not consider the opportunity after all.